A woman who was found dead alongside her young daughter has been formally named as Valerie Forde by Scotland Yard.

Ms Forde, 45, and her 23-month old daughter, identified by police as Real-Jahzarah McKoy, were discovered after officers were called to an address in Oswald's Mead, Hackney, east London, shortly after 9am yesterday.

A 53-year old man - understood to be in a relationship with the female victim and living at the same address - was found injured and remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was taken to an east London hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

A post-mortem examination of Real-Jahzarah's body will take place at Great Ormond Street Hospital tomorrow afternoon and her mother's body will be examined on Thursday morning at Poplar Mortuary.

Following the discovery, Scotland Yard's previous contact with Ms Forde was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission by the directorate of professional standards.

Friends and neighbours expressed their shock as they described the mother as "an angel" and a well-known member of the community.

Jeanna Sanderson, 34, said she was made Jahzarah's godmother at a private christening ceremony.

She said: "She was a bubbly child who liked dancing and always had a smile on her face."

Ms Sanderson said Ms Forde had three older teenage children.

"She wanted them to grow up and reach their full potential," she said.

Neighbour Joyce Zeene said: "She was like a sister to me. She's an angel."